Vie’s Verses – Finally…KISS Is Going Into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

They’ve been eligible for fifteen years, and finally, this April, Kiss will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. I understand that in the end it doesn’t matter if they were inducted or not. When bands like Public Enemy and Run-DMC are in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, it’s all a marketing joke, but deep down inside, I’ve always wanted Kiss to be inducted. As a fan, it’s the recognition of the band’s longevity and success by their critics and peers that makes me excited. Yes, it is silly, but when they stand up there and give their speech and get enshrined, as a fan, it’s our way of justifying that we were right, this is the greatest rock band in the entire world.

After years of being ignored, Kiss will finally have their day alongside Nirvana and Peter Gabriel (as well as Hall & Oates and Linda Ronstadt). This year’s ceremony is going to be held at the Barclay’s center in Brooklyn, and former members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss are expected to be present and may even take the stage with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley for a performance. As amazing as that will be, I don’t think it will open the door for a full reunion. Gene is happy with Tommy and Eric being in the band, and even though many fans still refer to them as “scabs” they are talented musicians in their own right and add an element to the band that was lacking in prior years. Hopefully they will attend the ceremony along with former guitarist Bruce Kulick. Ultimately, I would love to see all 7 members on stage for at least one song (ala the Unplugged concert from 1996). It would be a magnificent experience, but I am sure that most fans only want the original four to perform and be honored on that night.

Kiss is going to be celebrating their 40th are still performing (The Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band are the only two I can think of). Kiss has been entertaining the masses for 40 years anniversary next year. Not many bands reach that plateau andvand they still put on one of the best shows in all of rock and roll. To see them enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame is going to be fantastic. It’s an honor they should have been given years ago. And for one night, the spotlight will be on the original four once again. I’m sure they will perform the overplayed hits like “Rock And Roll All Night” and “Deuce,” but that’s all right. To see the four original members perform together again will be nice, but again, I expect that it will be only for one night, and that’s all right.

Rather than do a nostalgic reunion tour, I am hoping that Kiss gets back in the studio and releases another record. Their last album, Monster, was one of the strongest of their career and I want to see that creativity continue on. As a fan, I am greedy. I want more Kiss albums and I want them now. To tour with the original members would halt that production, unless they record a new album with all four original members. That would be a real treat, but not something I will hold my breath for.

Tickets for the April concert are going on sale to the general public in January, and I am going to do my best to try and get them, but I expect to be shut out. However, I am going to give it my best effort. To be at this ceremony, watching Kiss get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame would be a lifelong Kiss fan’s dream. Hopefully, it will be a dream come true.